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San Diego relief teams assist Jamaica’s recovery post-Hurricane Melissa

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San Diego relief teams assist Jamaica’s recovery post-Hurricane Melissa


SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) – Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms to ever hit Jamaica, has left widespread destruction across the Caribbean. San Diego-based International Relief Teams is already mobilizing food, shelter and rebuilding supplies.

The Caribbean is still recovering from Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms to ever hit Jamaica. Whole communities were destroyed, and officials warn recovery could take years.

San Diego-based International Relief Teams (IRT) is already on the front lines, helping families survive and rebuild.

Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, with winds topping 180 mph, tearing through homes, farms and critical infrastructure. More than 50 people across the Caribbean have been reported dead, and hundreds of thousands remain without power.

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Catastrophic Damage

Widespread flooding, destroyed homes, and debris-covered communities mark western Jamaica, where Melissa left catastrophic damage.

“It’s pretty bad. Whole communities have been devastated,” Rose Uranga, chief operating officer at IRT said.

Uranga said the nonprofit, active since 1988, responds to disasters worldwide and locally. But in Jamaica, the work is just beginning.

“Right now we are focusing on the critical needs, food, water, shelter, baby formula, diapers, blankets,” Uranga said. “We’re sourcing everything locally, which allowed us to respond quickly.”

Partnering with local labor not only speeds up recovery, she said, but also keeps money flowing into Jamaica’s economy.

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“In the coming weeks and months, we will be filling containers and sending them over,” Uranga said.

IRT leaders say they will stay committed as long as it takes to help communities rebuild.

“This is going to be a long recovery effort. We will be providing as we go forward building materials, drywall, and paying local labor to rebuild. It will be quite a long process,” Uranga said.

IRT plans to begin filling and shipping containers to Jamaica in the coming weeks and will send volunteer teams once rebuilding begins.

The nonprofit has been providing disaster relief since 1988 and says it will remain in Jamaica as long as necessary to help families recover.

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IRT is also preparing to assist in Los Angeles with wildfire recovery and continues to respond to humanitarian crises in Sudan.

IRT says they rely heavily on donations to assist those in need. To learn more visit their website.



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San Diego, CA

Person killed in multi-vehicle crash involving big rig in San Diego

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Person killed in multi-vehicle crash involving big rig in San Diego


A person was killed Sunday morning in a multi-vehicle crash involving a big rig on State Route 805 in San Diego, authorities said.

The crash occurred about 2:50 a.m. on the northbound route, south of University Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A SigAlert was issued at 3:37 a.m. shutting down the transition road connecting the northbound route to northbound State Route 15.

There was no other immediate information.

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San Diego, CA

Traffic collision prompts lane closures on northbound I-805 in San Diego

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Traffic collision prompts lane closures on northbound I-805 in San Diego


SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A traffic collision has prompted lane closures on northbound Interstate 805 in the area north of Interstate 15, according to Caltrans. The incident area is in-between the North Park and Corridor neighborhoods.

  • The FOX 5/KUSI video above provides driving safety tips

The collision was first reported in a Sig Alert released by California Highway Patrol around 3:45 a.m. A hard closure was put in place roughly an hour later, closing all northbound lanes.

In an update around 8:30 a.m., CHP officials confirmed to FOX 5/KUSI that the two leftmost lanes remained closed, while the right lanes reopened to traffic.

In another update shortly after 10 a.m., Caltrans announced all lanes have since reopened.

It’s unknown at this time how many vehicles were involved and if there were any injuries connected to the incident.

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FOX 5/KUSI is working to gather more information. Check back for updates.



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Thomas H. Chapman – San Diego Union-Tribune

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Thomas H. Chapman – San Diego Union-Tribune



Thomas H. Chapman


OBITUARY

Tom Chapman was born in San Diego, California, the son of Thomas R. Chapman and Maja Amalia (Huss) Chapman. He grew up in La Mesa and graduated from Grossmont High School.

Tom served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict and was stationed on Guam for two years. He graduated in 1958 from San Diego State University, with a degree in Civil Engineering. While at San Diego State, he met his future wife, Rubie Eileen Blevins. They were married in La Mesa in 1950, beginning a marriage of 73 years, during which they lived primarily in San Diego County including La Mesa, Coronado Cays, and Downtown San Diego. They had two children, Thomas Joseph (deceased) and Nancy Eileen (Bedell), plus five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Tom and Rubie enjoyed travelling, especially to Sweden to visit Tom’s mother’s relatives.

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After graduating from college, Tom worked as a Civil Engineer in the San Diego area for over 50 years, serving as the founder and president of Testing Engineers – San Diego among other roles.

Throughout his life, Tom had a great love affair with the outdoors. was an avid runner who completed three New York City Marathons as well as many other races. He loved saltwater fishing and sailing. He also enjoyed duck hunting. For many years, Tom and Rubie owned a second home at Lake Cuyamaca where Tom was a longtime member of the Board of Directors that governs the operation of the lake.

Tom passed away on October 20, 2025 in San Diego. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rubie, his son Thomas J. Chapman, and his sister Barbara. He is survived by his daughter, Nancy (Bedell), daughter-in-law Toni Chapman, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a great many friends, all of whom will miss him dearly.

A memorial service will be held at Miramar National Cemetery on Wednesday, December 17 at 11:00 AM. It is suggested that those attending arrive early.

In lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Chapman Family Fund through the San Diego Foundation. Donations can be made by check payable to the San Diego Foundation, notating Fund #7859 in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to: San Diego Foundation / Attn: Donations / 2508 Historic Decatur Rd. Ste 200 San Diego, CA 92106. Donations can also be made by debit/credit card by calling the San Diego Foundation at 619-814-1332.

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